51 AD 5 window

Old Iron · Jun 19, 2014

OK, I've been commissioned to do a chassis swap and get a 51 Chevy AD 5 window to the driving stage for a customer.
First off, the chassis is an 89 S10 short bed so, I'll have to get out the ole frame stretcher to match the wheel base.
Second, the frame horns have to be cut off. This looks like if they are cut right at the front of the the steering box the bottom of the grille will clear. So far am I on the right train of thought [S
Third, the radiator support bottom has to be cut off and a straight piece of channel put in it's place.
First pic is of the truck on the original frame, in the shop and I'm pulling the cab.

These two are the cab in position over the S10 frame

These next two are where I'm going to cut the core support, inner fenders and the frame horns

The reason for the questions are, I've done a 52 Ford, there's more nose room on them and only had to cut the bottom of the core support. The Chevy AD's nose is shorter and I don't want to perform trial and error surgery

Thanks ahead of time

skull · Jun 19, 2014

swap

lots of info on here about this kind of swap. keep the pics coming,

Later

Yankee Transplant · Jun 19, 2014

What does the AD stand for ? sorry about the dumb question

Flipper_1938 · Jun 19, 2014

Yankee Transplant said:
What does the AD stand for ? sorry about the dumb question

Advanced Design

Yankee Transplant · Jun 19, 2014

ok [S I must of just had the plain models .

Torchie · Jun 19, 2014

www.mongosgarage.com/tech/s10/frameswap/swapinfo.htm
Here is a link to a swap.
Also Advance Design Engineering has a kit for this as well as some others. With your skills you won't need a kit but it may give you some mideas.
I know most use a 4WD rear end because it is wider and spacers on the front wheels.
Hope this helps you out.
Torchie.

Old Iron · Jun 19, 2014

Thanks for the leads.
I knew flipper and several more had done these swaps.
I was mainly concerned about the clearance on the lower part of the grille [S
I went to the site and read the procedure. It was what I was getting ready to do and confirmed the cut lines are correct

[

See y'all tomorrow with more pics

Flipper_1938 · Jun 20, 2014

Old Iron said:
Thanks for the leads.
I knew flipper and several more had done these swaps.
I was mainly concerned about the clearance on the lower part of the grille [S
I went to the site and read the procedure. It was what I was getting ready to do and confirmed the cut lines are correct [
See y'all tomorrow with more pics

Yep, it is crowded behind the grill. I welded tabs on the outsides of the core support to mount it to the frame. For the radiator, I kicked the bottom of the radiator forward and made a simple mount that comes off of the factory core support. There should be pics in my flatbed build thread (when I switched to the aluminum radiator?).

If I was doing mine today, I would mount the body higher on the frame and then lower the suspension more. That would give you more room for a radiator.

Blue · Jun 20, 2014

Yankee Transplant said:
ok [S I must of just had the plain models .

It is the body style designation, not a model.

Advance Design is the designation that was given to the 47-55 series one body style

Task Force is the designation that was given to the 55 series two - 59 body style

C/K is the designation that ran from 60-99
60-66 was Gen 1
67-72 was Gen 2
73-87 was Gen 3
87-98 was Gen 4

Silverado is the designation given to 99 to current trucks
(not to be confused with the silverado trim package on the C/K trucks)

05snopro440 · Jun 20, 2014

Yes OldIron You're on the right track. However, I don't recommend putting straight channel on the bottom of the rad support. That will severely limit your rad size. If you mount your new rad on the front side of the rad support you'll have plenty of room, and can run a big rad. My dad has a full sized aluminum (I think it's a Be Cool) AD replacement rad in his S-10 swapped 52 with a 454, and there is lots of room. Mount the body nice and low also, is my recommendation.

62ChevyII · Jun 20, 2014

I have done 2 of these swaps. The first one was on a 89 short bed. Here's a link to see how I did it. Not the only way to go about it but food for thought for ya at least: http://www.killbillet.com/showthread.php?16296-1948-Chevy-5-window-on-an-s10-frame-(step-by-step)

The frame horns need to be cut off almost as close to the steering box bolt holes as you can get... I eyeballed it once and then had to rework it because the grill hit still.

Old Iron · Jun 20, 2014

Thanks for all the responses.
Different approaches to accomplish something makes it a whole lot easier.
Back to the shop.

Old Iron · Jun 20, 2014

Went back to the shop and proceeded to cut on it.
First pic is the frames wheelbase is now 116" long
I sectioned the middle instead of doing what 62chevyll done on his because, of using the shocks that are already on the frame.

Well the pic is blurry

I'll be fish plating the inside of the frame for rigidity.

This is the notching on the radiator support and inner fenders. It looks like there's a large gap between the frame and inner fenders but there isn't.

Center line was marked on the fenders before the old chassis was removed.

I'm not sure if I'm gonna work on it tomorrow. I think I'll start putting the suspension back under my 33 [ddd

I-R-POPS · Jun 20, 2014

Looking good!
Nice work.

Flipper_1938 · Jun 21, 2014

Gosh a 15 inch wheel looks so small to me now. At times the my 20's seem a little big (depends on the light)...I think 17's or 18's would be about perfect.

IMG_0304 by Flipper_1938, on Flickr

Old Iron · Jun 21, 2014

Actually those are 14"
Yours look great

Old Iron · Jun 23, 2014

Saturday morning I went out to the shop, made body mount brackets, mounted the body to the frame and rolled it outside so I could work on the 33 Pontiac for a day or two.
I'll post some pics of the under side, after I get it back on the lift, so y'all can see what it looks like.

Torchie · Jun 23, 2014

Looking good OI.[P

1952B3b23 · Jun 24, 2014

Looks good. You sure have plenty of determination to tackle two projects at once, i cant even find time to work on one. Well done [cl

-Chris

Old Iron · Jun 25, 2014

This is the bed cross member with a mounting plate n with welded in nuts

Cross members welded in at 3" higher than stock

Back of bed with tailgate repaired

Side view of bed. It looks too far forward but, is the angle of the pic I took

I will be installing the grille and running boards along with fitting the steering column tomorrow.

51 AD 5 window

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